Good wine important to mental health!

My daughter's soccer coach recently pointed out the importance of proper nutrition before a soccer game. I, too believe in proper nutrition for maintaining a healthy body. Unfortunately,many people forget just how important their mental health can be. How do we maintain mental health? You must start by putting yourself first. I call it " The Gift of Selfishness". In order to look after others, one must be in good health, both physically and mentally. A good analogy is this; if your car is not full of gas and hasn't had a check up or an oil change, you wouldn't plan on driving across Canada. Before setting off on a trip, you put gas in your car and ensure that it is in good working order. It goes to reason then, that if you must look after a family of 3 or 4 other people, you should make sure that YOUR body is in good working order. This includes not only your physical self, but your mental self as well. Your physical self must be fit, healthy and have regular exercise and good, nourishing food to fend off disease and illness. Your mental self must have time to focus, time to contemplate and time to process life's daily happenings, in order to provide support to others. You wouldn't drive your car without refueling so it makes sense that you shouldn't drive your body without refueling either. I've found that one of the best ways to refuel both mentally and physically, is to sit down and share a bottle of red wine with a friend. The process goes somewhat like this.......friend arrives at door, and settles down comfortably in my living room. Children, husbands and other pesky humans should preferably remain out of sight for the visit. Once comfortable, a bottle of red wine should be opened and allowed to breathe for approximately 10 seconds...if time is of the essence, 5 seconds will suffice. Screw capped bottles do make for a quicker opening, but a cork looks good if appearance is important to you. Next, pour wine into glasses. Congratulate yourselves on being able to navigate this opportunity and quickly take several large swallows. Sit back, relax and breathe deeply. Refill glasses and drink some more. Finally, let the conversation flow wherever it may take you. Popular topics include spousal annoyances, disturbing children's behaviour, ridiculous school demands or the infinite amounts of demanding household chores. Studies have proven that a moderate amount of red wine is good for the heart, aids in digestion and can lower the risk of heart attacks in middle aged people. Red wine is also low in sodium, high in potassium and has Vitamin B (from the wine skins). Wine has been known to have a relaxing, tranquil affect on the body. This is healthy. Healthy is good. Studies have shown that being healthy is good for you. Once you have finished the bottle of wine, and released all of your toxic thoughts and energies, you will feel much better. When you feel better, you treat others better. You are better able to look after others when you feel better. Suggested wines might include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, or any blended varieties. Things to keep in mind when drinking wine are that wine does include calories, but, if you are drinking with a friend, the calories are cut in half because "troubles shared are troubles halved". It is recommended that this type of mental relaxation and restoration take place several times a month to ensure that you are in optimum health to provide good care for your family and friends. 

Please note, this blog was written while under the influence of red wine.The delightfully smooth Decero 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the Mendoza region in Argentina. This particular blog has overtones of bright red fruits and characteristic 'cassis' notes. In a group, one could expect notes of truth, cheerfulness and general enjoyment. Small gatherings of 3 or less can expect some venting, minimal use of foul language and perhaps a touch of frustration. Overall, a smooth, flavourful bottle with a reasonable price point.

Cheers!

Teen Time Means Wine Time for Moms!

It's Saturday night. I am the mother of a teenage girl. Therefore, it is not at all strange that I am in my kitchen listening to a room full of teen-agers laugh, scream etc while watching horror movies. I keenly remember my own movie nights with friends, and firmly believe that hosting the teens is a sort of right of passage as a parent. How many can remember when movie night required us to rent the VCR and the movies, and Hallowe'en was a scary movie. Fast forward to today, and the movies come on Netflix and the choice of movies is endless. Don't like one, just pick another.  Some things stay the same though. Teens still love to eat, especially the boys. My daughter and I did some shopping today, with a definite list of what would be eaten. I've made the pizza, bought the pop, and baked the cookies.  In my role as parent/overseer of said gathering, it was required that I also be invisible. So, I disappeared into my kitchen and proceeded to bake. Lasagna, chocolate cheesecake, and more cookies.  Every parent knows that being invisible can be very enlightening. One tends to learn/overhear alot of interesting facts about their children and their friends when being invisible. The group was fairly well behaved and polite and I quickly realized it would be an easy evening. Therefore, my next decision was an easy one. It is an acceptable practise while baking in one's kitchen, to pour a nice glass of wine and just relax and go with the flow.Naturally, that is exactly what I did. In keeping with the flavour of the evening, I poured a glass of Cupcake! I have blogged about this wine before, and initially wasn't all that impressed with it. However, it was there in my wine rack, a gift from a kind friend, so I opened it and proceeded to enjoy a glass. It was light bodied and simple enough that I easily finished my glass.  I am relaxed, my kitchen chores are complete and the teens have quieted down a tiny bit. Soon the parents will arrive to pick up the teens and Monday at school will be filled with chatter of what everyone did on the weekend. Teens and adults alike will share and revisit the excitement of the weekend. Movies watched, games played and of course, wines drank. Next weekend, plan on buying an untried bottle of wine and give a review to your co-workers. Ask for a review in return. You may find a new favorite!

Cheers!